A West Nottinghamshire College brickwork trainer is set to represent the college on the national stage this summer after securing a place in the prestigious Super Trowel national finals, one of Europe’s largest and most respected wet trade competitions.
Dale (left) & Bradley (right) practicing at the Station Park construction campus for the competition.
Dale Wherton will compete against some of the fastest and most skilled bricklayers from across the UK and overseas at the event in Hertfordshire this August. Now in its fourth year, Super Trowel attracts competitors from as far afield as Australia and the United States, testing speed, precision and consistency under conditions that reflect modern construction industry standards.
For Dale, the competition is both a personal challenge and an opportunity to showcase the high standards of craftsmanship he teaches to the next generation of bricklayers at the college.
Competitors are required to construct a nine-metre double-skin brick wall within a strict one-hour time limit, with every brick assessed against exacting standards of accuracy, alignment and workmanship.
Dale said: “It’s not about just laying bricks quickly. You’ve got to maintain quality the entire time.
“I know what I’m capable of when everything comes together. If I hit 900 bricks, I’m in a strong position.”
Dale in action practicing the brick laying with Bradley assisting.
The competition attracts between 150 and 200 entrants nationally, with competitors progressing through regional qualifying heats before the top two from each region advance to the final. This year’s event is expected to attract around 4,000 spectators.
Dale is no stranger to the competitive bricklaying circuit. He has previously won regional heats and competed in the Subby Cup at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC), as well as major events in London. His personal best stands at 884 bricks laid in one hour, and he is currently training to surpass the 900-brick mark.
Supporting him throughout the competition is his cousin and former colleague from when he worked in the industry, Bradley Edwards, who serves as his brick set-up operative. Bradley is responsible for organising and supplying materials in line with competition rules, helping Dale maintain maximum efficiency throughout the challenge.
Dale said: “Having Brad there makes a massive difference. It just flows.”
Alongside technical preparation, Dale focuses on fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing to ensure he is competition-ready.
His preparation is also providing valuable learning opportunities for students and the college’s brickwork department has been supporting Dale’s training by providing space for practice sessions, with students regularly observing demonstrations and assisting where possible.
Dale said: “It’s becoming like a live lesson. It makes it real for them.”
The college is also exploring opportunities to take students and staff to the national final, helping learners experience high-level industry competition first-hand and inspiring future participation.
Dale has previously shown his students some of his practice competition laying.
In addition, Dale is keen to develop new ways of sharing his expertise through short-form instructional content, using wearable camera technology and social media platforms to break down bricklaying techniques into accessible learning resources.
As the final approaches, Dale is preparing for one of the biggest competitions of his career, supported by colleagues, students and his cousin Bradley.
He said: “It’s still bricklaying, but it’s about showing what’s possible.”
Before competing in the national final, Dale will accompany two students as they take part in the Super Trowel Juniors competition at Birmingham’s NEC on Tuesday 23 June. Brickwork students are currently competing in class with Dale before being selected to be part of this junior competition.
The event provides an exciting platform for emerging talent and highlights the college’s commitment to developing future construction professionals.
Bradley (left) and Dale (right) at the qualifying round which secured him a place in the finals.